The fuel system in the Toyota Celica has a long track record of providing years of reliable and dependable service. However, in order for the system to maintain this level of performance and continue to deliver an adequate and clean fuel supply to the engine, the fuel filter requires a periodic replacement. Toyota cars build up a substantial amount of pressure in the fuel system, therefore proper steps and procedures should be followed when replacing the fuel filter in a Celica.

1

Remove the fuse for the fuel pump. The fuse compartment is located near the bottom of the dash next to the cigarette lighter behind a pullout cover. The specific fuse within the compartment protecting the fuel pump, can be determined by the reference sticker attached to the inside of the fuse compartment cover.

2

Start the car with the fuse removed and allow the engine to idle until it runs out of fuel and dies. This should take less than one minute at the most. If the car continues to idle, double check that the correct fuse has been removed. Operating the engine at idle with power removed from the fuel pump will aid in relieving the fuel pressure from the system.

3

Remove the negative battery lead from the car battery to prevent inadvertent starts or electrical shocks while performing service to the fuel system.

4

Locate the fuel filter inside the engine bay. The fuel filter is mounted to the firewall and strapped into a mounting bracket. A 2000 Toyota Celica fuel filter is located on the passenger's side firewall next to the strut.

5

Place a catch pan or drip pan beneath the fuel filter to catch any excess fuel that will leak from the inlet fuel line when the fitting is loosened. Place a shop rag or old towel over the top of the fuel filter to eliminate any fuel spray that may be trapped under pressure.

6

Loosen the banjo nut using a 17mm wrench slowly to allow fuel to bleed and drain out of system. Once all fuel has drained, continue to back out the bolt the remove the fitting from the filter.

7

Remove the outlet fuel line from the filter using the 17mm wrench by loosening the swivel fitting slowly and backing it off the fuel filter fitting. Plug both fuel lines or wrap and tape inside a small plastic bag.

8

Remove the four 10 millimeter bolts that attach the fuel filter to the firewall using a 10mm wrench.

9

Lift the old filter out of the engine compartment and insert the new fuel filter. Attach it to the firewall in the same orientation as the old filter was removed, and install the four 10mm bolts.

10

Screw on the swivel compression fitting onto the filter fitting and tighten with the 17mm wrench.

11

Place new washers onto the banjo fitting and install the fitting onto the new fuel filter. Start the banjo fitting bolt and make it up hand tight. Torque the banjo fitting to 22 ft. lbs. with the torque wrench.

12

Re-install the negative battery lead to the car battery and tighten the terminal connection. Re-insert the fuel pump fuse into the fuse panel and start the car. Engine will turn over several times until fuel pressure is regained before engine fires. This process should only take 10 to 20 seconds at the most. Inspect the fuel filter installation for any signs of fuel leaks while engine is at idle.

Tip

Use properly sized wrenches on fuel filter hardware to prevent damage to the bolts.

Warnings

Do not replace fuel filter or perform service on the fuel system when engine is warm to the touch.

Wear safety glasses or goggles when bleeding fuel pressure from system or breaking fuel lines.

Contain all fuel within closed containers and clean up any spills as soon as possible.

Items you will need

References

About the Author

Damon Hildebrand is a retired U.S. Navy veteran. He has more than 15 years within the oil and gas industry in both technical and managerial positions. Hildebrand has been a technical writer and communicator for the last four years. He is a certified specialists in lubrication and tribology, as well as a certified maintenance and reliability professional.